Quivering Corruption (DM Lerus)

(OOC: Alright, everyone is ready!)

The group meets just outside their old favorite spot on the edges of Podol Plaza. Doozey is the only one that has never visited Madame Freona's Tea Kettle, which was sadly all boarded up by the time he arrived in town. In fact, it is still boarded up now. If there is anyone inside, you cannot hear them from outside. If there are any sconces or candles lit inside, you cannot see their flames.

About a half-hour past sundown, a group of street musicians set up some yards away, east of the tavern's entrance. They are far enough from The Kettle as to pose little threat, but close enough that their music could be heard within the establishment. Sporting a set of drums, a dulcimer, a shawm and a viol, the band settles down for what it looks like it will be a long performance.  They begin playing pleasant, soft music, but their audience is sparse at best.

A good twenty minutes pass before Aleyd and Villonah join you. The captain wears an elegant dress in the colors of the Black Fist (black and gold), clearly tailored to fit her frame loosely. To your combat-trained eyes, it is obvious her attire is cut in a way to allow her to wear chain mail underneath. Villonah wears a more modest grey dress, which doesn't seem to fit her very comfortably. They say their greetings in an amicable manner, though Villonah's eyes linger on Doozey for an extra moment: "They did tell you this was a formal event, right?" her face begging for an explanation. The captain responds before the halfling can: "I did. At least give him credit for wearing clean clothes. It's already an improvement from what I had seen." Villonah coils a bit in second-hand embarrassment.

Aleyd then speaks more seriously: "Good of you to be punctual. Know this: there will be many more guests at dinner than just us. Perhaps even more than a dozen others. As guests of honor, you'll likely have a chance to meet them all. Stay alert and learn as much as you can about them. The information could serve us well when it comes time to devise the hunting party's strategy."

She straighten her threads: "Now, we have a few minutes to spare before we must head in. Is there anything you'd like to discuss beforehand?"

After the whole discovery of last regarding the Weres, Doozey's paranoia was an all time high. Thus, it would come as no surprise to the party while they waited that he kept a close eye on muscians. He even goes as far as to try and break away if need be to observe them at a distance, but more clearly so than any entrance to the Teakettle, which itself had garned a curious once over.

Insight: 23.

Once he sees at least vaguely familiar figures approach the place however, he is fairly quick to scamper over to the others, hafhazardly fussing over his clothing just prior to their arrival. The moment Doozey lays on Villonah he stops, and almost manages a smile. Though it yet still appeared stilted at the edges. "You look-..." He started softly following the greeting, but can't quite get his tongue to work while she looked at him so intently. Certainly not in time to finish before he soon found himself looking at Aleyd quizzically for coming to his defense.

But that is shrugged off a moment later in favor giving Villonah a weak but assuring smile as Aleyd spoke to all."Well, Truth be told, I'm half-hoping they'll take one look at me, and kindly ask that me and taters stay outside." At the mention of his name, the unicorn bunny pops his head out of Doozey's pack, and sniffs about before squeezing right back inside. Doozey pays him little mind however, as he pressed on by saying, "But in the unlikely event that happens, I'll leave most of the smoozing or whatever you'd call it to the rest of ya. As much as they let me, anyhow. Though if I see or hear something of interest, I'll be sure to pass it along to the rest of ya." He said, before looking to Villonah again. "It's good to see you out and about again, Villie. I'm sure Biscuit would think they same if he could be here. But... well... " he kind of trails off there awkwardly, and looked away while rubbing the back of his neck.

Feeling over dressed in his new robes, Utar finds himself fidgeting with the sleeves and convinced he's standing on the hem. He can't remember if he had ever owned something so fine. The fabric is soft and looking at it, he can't tell if it's black or purple or a deep blue. The outline of Torm's gauntlet picked out in silver thread sits subtly beneath the rough edges of his amulet and for a moment, he wonders of the politics inherent in the upper reaches of the clergy might not be so bad after all... But only for a moment.

Looking the burnt out, boarded up shell of the Tea Kettle he can almost recall the chatter and hustle of the place in full flow, the smell of the kitchen and the faces of halfling women who ran it. Thinking back to sitting in the warmth of the hearth, sharing food, enjoying drinks, he can almost feel the heat of the fire and the spicy tannins of the tea.

That. Chamomile. Tea. 

Snapping from his reminiscences at the approach of Aleyd and Villonah he cocks his head at the all too familiar rustle of chainmail and allows himself a wry smile. Giving Burral a quick once over, he wonders whether she's carrying a weapon under that dress as well.

"Good to see you both. Is there any word on who the other guests are? Anyone we might know?"

Not feeling accustomed to her new dress, Neya struggles to keep the sleeves from overtaking her hands, she mutters "Gonna have to take some getting used to..."

Looking at the restaurant, she remembers the times when it was under different management. She also vividly remembers the event that closed it in the first place. That fang and those wisps.

After Aleyd and Villonah join CRAP, she stops reflecting on the past.

"Other than what we'll be talking about, did the journal reveal anything else?"

(@MB: Great post! You can have a DM's Inspiration token, my friend.)

STILL OUTSIDE

Before Aleyd's and Villonah's arrival, Doozey steps aside from CRAP for a moment to pay closer attention to the street band. Suspicions high, the stoutling observes intently for a minute or so, until a wink of the viol player sparks a deduction in the ranger's mind. The band are likely purposefully playing near enough the Tea Kettle to drown any sort of conversation or even noises produced by a large group of people eating and drinking. A clever touch by one of the other guests, surely. Satisfied, Doozey walks back to the group.

At this point the two ladies join CRAP. They all compliment each other's attire, apart from Doozey's. Aleyd then addresses Utar's question first: "I am but one contact these two nobles have. They are well connected, and can surely afford to hire a large group to join in their hunt. I know Villonah here was invited due to her connections with the Order of the Gauntlet, so I am sure other factions' members would be present as well. I have a feeling we will all recognize a few faces in there." Villonah jumps in: "If I am invited, so must be Zern, my direct superior. He doesn't live in Phlan but he is somewhat famous around the Moonsea region. He is sure to ask about my mission when he sees me, and I still have to buy my piece of evidence from you, Doozey... but that will have to wait. We are here for a different reason tonight."

Aleyd then jumps back into the conversation after Neya poses her question: "The journal is no longer in my possession. The noble gentleman inside has it. He studied it and compared it to his long accumulated notes, I am sure. I gather he will share his discoverers with us tonight."

Doozey and Villonah don't quite hear that last answer. They are busy having a side conversation about how the stoutling doesn't really want to be there and how Biscuit couldn't make it. Villonah is a bit bothered by the first part of that: "Well, I'll be there, inside, having a nice dinner and talking business. It's been a while since I have done any of those things given my imprisonment. If you don't want to keep me company, then stay outside with the stray dogs and your simpleton's outfit..." Then, she comes up with her own conclusions about Biscuit's absence, clearly too annoyed to make a conversation out of it at this point.

Aleyd interrupts the side conversation: "Right, time to head in. Through the backdoor we go." She begins walking and leading the group that way.

MADAME FREONA'S TEA KETTLE

This is the first time that CRAP enters The Tea Kettle through the kitchen, or the first time overall for Doozey. The smells are heartwarming and nostalgic, reminding you of a simpler time but also of home, wherever that might be. A lot of food is being prepared by six female halflings, the five younger ones of which go frantically in and out of the kitchen carrying drinks and appetizers. The older one, somewhere in her halfling middle-ages, looks confident and wise, despite being elbow deep into a clump of dough that is certainly destined to become a delectable pie. It takes her a moment to catch a glimpse of the new arrivals, but once she does, her face lightens up and heavy accented words slip out of her wide smile: "Mon chers! Charmant! Exquis! My saviors! I wasn't saving any expense to begin with, but now that I know you are here, I'll find even better ingrédients. Go on, go on... we will talk later!" Her five daughters are quite busy themselves, but they all give you warm smiles of recognition when they see you.

Now on the tavern floor, CRAP sees that the interior has been redecorated to host a single large party instead of the several tables, chairs, and stools, you still see in your memories. Luckily, the comfortable lounge chairs that used to surround the fireplace are still there. Surely, this is just a redesign for the occasion. The walls are still filled with pleasant art, the large fireplace still warms the entire chamber, the stage looks intact, though empty. Things look so different and yet so familiar at the same time. Even Doozey knows instinctively that this is a much more pleasant place than the dirty dock tavern he has now gotten used to (The Laughing Goblin.)

Eight other people are here already, some are sitting while others are conversing while standing. It is easy enough to spot the two nobles. The man is a tall human of light-olive skin and meticulously trimmed beard and mustachio. He wears the pompous attire of a wealthy man, including a colorful cape and a gold-laced cane. Above it all, an ostentatious full set of plate armor supposedly protects him, though it is obvious to CRAP's trained eyes that the set serves more as aesthetics than practicality. The human lady wears an elegantly trimmed burgundy-colored blouse and skirt pair that could easily pass for a dress. It is adorned by moss green and white details, and her neck-piece shines in a way only platinum can. Despite her obvious high birth, her attire is not as showy as her counterpart's, and it almost seems more practical than his armor. Similarly, her blonde hairdo communicates she is here for practical matters, not a night of extravagance.

There are a few faces you do not recognize, including a tall, white-feathered owl-man in robes, a short-haired elf woman with better poise than either of the nobles, and an muscled half-orc man who proudly wears the bright sun of Pelor on his many-layered evening attire. There are also a few familiar faces here, such as that of the Harper Agent CRAP interacted with a few times now but never got a name for; that of the drow-elf Utar and Graxx once rescued from a tribe of Kuo-Toa (Chaab); and that of the female half-orc that sought Neya with a playing card on hand on the fated night that lead to the closure of The Tea Kettle (Buhrell Caah).

YOU ARE FREE TO MINGLE FOR NOW.

Graxx smiles as he enters the Tea Kettle till his eyes land on the Drow.  Graxx thinks back about nearly shoving the caged Drow into the waters below.  Graxx looks down at his fancy outfit he was so proud of before.  Suddenly his is disgusted.  What is he doing here?  Playing dress up while the Drow lead his Tribe further from Tempus's way.  He has the belt now.  He can SEE in the Dark.  He can SEE and therefore KILL in their realm.  He needs to find out what the Cult of the Dragon is doing with the Drow who is manipulating his people!

Graxx scans the room looking for a steak knife or some type of sharp object he can get to quickly in case the Drow tries anything.

Investigation:  16

Graxx stares a hole through the Drow.  Graxx then approaches and speaks quietly to the Drow.  He does not extend his hand.

"Chaab..."

Graxx breathes in.

"You know... I came looking for you after you fled to Kuo-Toa lair.  I wanted to give you the chance to tell me more about how ungrateful I was.  I wanted to have a good ol' talkin."

Graxx breathes out.

"But Tempus... Tempus did not grant me the ability to find you.  Now Tempus has changed me and I no longer seek meaningless fights.  I only have one goal and it seems you play into my destiny once more.

Graxx has a half smile as a memory back to him.

"If it makes you feel better I did find one who played a role in your capture.  I found one of the cultist who we spotted outside the lair... He was half-mad by the time I found him.  I couldn't get anything out of him... But I kept my promise to avenge those townfolk and the donkey that died that day by killing all responsible."

Graxx extends his hand like he is holding a skull.

"I pulled his face up close to me so I could look evil in the eyes.  Then I split him like firewood on a winters night.  His body collapsed and a little evil left this world."

Graxx smiles goes away.

"My axe is cold tonight from lack of blood.  I hope to change that soon.  Have you learned any more information from this Cult of the Dragon that can lead me to keep fulfilling my promise and causing harm to those who harmed you?"

Intimidation: 11

Utar takes a moment to appreciate the Tea Kettle being back to operating capacity. Closing his eyes and taking a long, deep breath; all seems right with the world.

Looking around the room, Utar watches Graxx make a beeline towards a familiar looking Drow and briefly considers joining him but is drawn towards a familiar face of his own.

Utar fixes his gaze on the half elf Harper Agent and saunters over, "Fancy running into each other again..." He mimes as though searching his memory for something just on the tip of his tongue, before fixing a hard stare towards the Harper, "Never did catch your name on our previous meetings. Might be time to address that imbalance."

The familiar sight of Madame Freona and her daughters working as feverishly as if the place never closed brings a small smile to Neya's face. She the looks around and sees the faces some she has become acquainted to, and some that are new.

She recognizes and approaches Caah (what I'm going to call the female half-orc, because there are TWO people with "Burral" in their name in this room) and greets her, "Good to see you, again, Caah. Fate certainly has strange way of reuniting people. How have you been since our last meeting?"

Rather than become flustered at Villonah's words, Doozey had merely looked to the ground and started rubbing at his forearm. Nothing more is forthcoming as the group is ushered along inside, but the Redfoot all the same only looks up as much as was needed to avoid bumping into anything from that point on. As a result, he would somewhat jump at the matron's greeting, and spend the following moments with a hand on his chest trying to calm his heart once more.

Apart from a hesitant bow in greeting after, Doozey is more than happy to be out of his fellow halflings uncomfortably warm presence and on to the tavern floor proper. As he took perhaps a moment too long sizing everyone else up however, the party fragments faster than he can so much as get out a "Might I-?" before they are too far to speak comfortably. "Well, Vil-... Ms. Villonah? Do you yet still wish me to keep you company during-..." He makes some off-handed gesture. "Or might it be better I find a corner to table to keep an eye on the room, and perhaps not incidentally undermine your efforts?" He asked, sounding genuinely curious, and would acquiesce to whatever wish of her that was... so long as it didn't involve him going up and talking to strangers alone.

DM's Screen:

@Graxx: Surely enough, in the one large table set up for the dinner tonight, you find many different types of sharp knives. You temporarily borrow one of them, not exactly subtly, and keep it in your pocket. You gather this large-ish carving knife could function like a dagger in a pinch. Then, approaching Chaab, you notice that the white-haired drow is bathed, clean, and smelling of lavender, which is quite the opposite from the mud-covered prisoner you and Utar reluctantly rescued all those months ago. That is of little importance in this moment, however. You proceed to explain how you have turned over a new leaf, albeit in a threatening way. The smiling elf quickly changes his general poise and, although he is trying his best to hide it, his familiar cowardice begins to show. He tries to cover it up with some brave words of his own, but you can see through them. You begin to wonder if all Zhentarim agents are as puny as this one.

"I take no solace in your personal victories," he says, "and I'd appreciate if you were to keep your distance from me this evening." He sets his wine goblet onto the table and adds: "In hopes you do keep your distance, I'll share this in return: I did find something else. The Cult of the Dragon is in league with other groups around the Moonsea region, including those Kuo-toa that imprisoned me. They are looking for something big in the area, and those fish-folk are helping them. And they are not the only ones. Many-a-tribe have joined these cultists. See, once again I pay up my side of the bargain, despite your... ungratefulness. Now do your part and sit far away from me, will you?"

This is not necessarily new information to Graxx, but it is not like Chaab knows that.

(OOC: Neya and Doozey do not know that Chaab is a Zhentariim agent.)

Utar approaches the Harper agent. The half-elf smiles as the half-orc approaches, behaving as if they were closer friends than they actually are: "My, my. Utar! What an elegant set of robes you are wearing!" He wears quite a set of fancy robes himself, all in a dark blue fabric and red-leather details. Even indoors, his face is half-covered by a hood. He laughs at Utar's little performance, clearly seeing through it: "Call me friend, what else! Remember this, dear cleric, information is power, and as such it is expensive. When I transacted with you in the past, at least twice now, I always paid for the information or items you brought me. If you want information from me, even just my name, you'll need to extended a similar courtesy." He points to the nobleman in armor: "That friend certainly did." He pats Utar on the shoulder, again being a bit more friendly than expected: "Come, sit, let us talk! Grab a drink. Let's share a good conversation!"

(OOC: Doozey does not know the half-elf is a Harper agent.)

(@Drache: Sorry, that was a typo. One's first name is Buhrell, the other's last name is Burral. But yeah, let's say she goes by Caah to make things easier.)

Caah seems a bit surprised at first to see Neya. "Oh, hello. I did not expect to see you again... I thought your organization.. hmm... village, would not want repeated connections." She finally smiles, showing her lower tusks prominently: "But please do not misunderstand me. It is a pleasure to see you and your companions, though your group seems quite smaller this time," she adds, looking over Neya's shoulder. Then, she finally answers the posed question: "I've been busy, very busy. Keeping the Emerald Enclave's business is hard work. Not many out there are willing to respect the balance between civilization and nature. How have you been?"

(OOC: Doozey does not know that Caah is an Emerald Enclave agent.)

"Sorry, that was harsh... I can be a bit explosive when my emotions get the best of me." Villonah says to Doozey once the halfling approaches her with his tail between his legs. "Yes, please. Keep me company. I rather talk to you than to my boss." She points to the muscular half-orc man in Pelor-adorned robes. "That is the famous Zern Xerkstil, the Hammer of Impiltur. He is my direct superior and is quite demanding. I think he was the one who managed to get me invited to this dinner, probably to check on me and my mission after I failed to report back." Villonah looks a bit worried. "You have my back, right?"

(OOC: It is safe to conclude that Zern Xerkstil is a member of the Order of the Gauntlet, just like Villonah.)

At this point in time, two more guests arrive, and they are both familiar faces. The large-for-a-dwarf and muscular frame of Dornal Whitebeard is impossible to ignore. The dwarf is built like an armoire, has a long and incredibly well-maintained namesake beard with many a gold ring adorning its braids, and sports a loud and deep voice that could easily land him a job as a royal herald. He pays little attention to anyone in the room, going straight to the table and grabbing an unclaimed goblet of beer or two. Only after downing both, and spilling quite a bit of it on his facial hair and expensive gem-encrusted blazer, does he look around the other faces in the room. He laughs loudly once he recognizes CRAP: "Bahahaah! My new favorite adventurers are here. This will be a better night than I had expected!"

Behind him, an extremely embarrassed priest apologizes repeatedly. Brother Keefe is completely out of his element, fumbling between following his superior, looking apologetically at others, and trying to look respectable himself. The simple-robed balding man is clearly new to this, and is so nervous, he fails to recognize CRAP.

(OOC: You all know that both Dornal Whitebeard and Brother Keefe are Lords' Alliance agents, though the Kelemvorite keeps that under wraps.)

"Could say the same about you, friend. Didn't expect you to scrub up so well."

Utar waggles his arms in his sleeves, setting the frills gently swaying as he tries to wiggle his hands free to collect a drink. Spying Dornal and Keefe enter the Tea Kettle, he gives them a friendly nod of his head

"Now, how about an exchange? Information for information; question for question. What can you tell me about our resplendent benefactor?"

 (@Lerus: Not gonna lie. I half expected at some point for you to just go 'You know nothing, Jon Snow' considering the number of context he's not getting, not that he necessarily heard much if anything of those other conversations.)

Doozey cocked his head somewhat to the side a moment at the initial response for Villonah, having either clearly not expected it or truly been confused by it. Yet, he found himself giving her a short nod after what followed, but clearly looked ashamed about something while turning to look. "I'll do what I can within my power, Vil-..." That's when he paused noting the latest arrival, and for the first time a small smile at least teased the edge of his lips since the evening festivities began in full. The smile only grows briefly seeing Brother Keefe equally out of sorts, before faltering as thought seems to occur to him.

A glance is given to the others to see if at least one might intercept the dwarf, so that... well, he wasn't quite sure. Some vague memory regarding a halflings sensibilities had drifted to the forefront, and all but compelled him in the dwarf's direction. However, his feet stayed stayed glued to where they were, leaving him but no choice except to give the dwarf an acknowledging nod from a distance. "So, about your superior, Ms. Villie. I'll try my best to follow your lead. Though, if there's anything else you need knowing beforehand to help smooth things over a bit...?" Though he would trail off with a questioning look, the stoutling was just as happy as to follow along without an answer.

Graxx for a brief moment thinks about the dagger and his old urges but he knows what’s important and nods his head to the Drow.

”I will stay away from you Drow and no matter what you think I am grateful for that information.”

Graxx looks sternly at the Drow.

”But before I depart I want to remind you of one thing.”

Graxx nods his head toward Utar.

”That half-Orc there and the dwarf Drazzim were the ones who wanted to let you out of the cage.  I would have left you for the fish men.  You don’t care me for me and I don’t care much for you.”

Graxx points at Utar.

”But him... He’s good.  Much better than I could hope to be.  I think this Dragon Cult wants him dead.  If you are keeping any secrets to yourself because of history share it with him.  It may save his life and we need to keep our good folks alive.”

Persuasion: 3

Graxx raises his hands and walks away keeping his promise to leave the Drow.

"If I was on official business, maybe it would be an issue. As things currently are, I probably won't expect a mission for quite a while." Neya begins.

"But, that's not to say that I've been idle. The past couple of tendays, for example,  have seen  with pirates, lycanthropes and a few stray fey."

She looks around the restaurant and observes, "An interesting collection of people tonight, yes?"

Harper agent to Utar: "Paying for information in kind. I like it! You are starting to get the hang of this, young half-orc. There is only one catch though: you go first. I'll tell you what I know about the armored noble if you share some information of equal value with me. I'll let you wager what that value may be."

Villonah to Doozey: "If Zern asks about the mission in detail, you'll have to jump in since I wasn't there. If he asks for proof of infernal involvement in the village attacks around Phlan, you must describe what proof you acquired, and let him know we have struck a deal for its sale to the Order of the Gauntlet, meaning me. I... I promise to come up with my end of the bargain soon."

Chaab to Graxx: "I'll think about it. As far as I am concerned, I have already repaid your group for liberating me from that cage. It is not my fault neither you or the half-orc decided to keep the potions I gave you as payment. Now, enjoy your evening."

Caah to Neya: "I see. The inner workings of your clan will always be a mystery to me. And yes, quite an eclectic group of individuals here tonight. It's kind of ironic we are meeting here at the Tea Kettle again, don't you think... especially after that fated night?"

As you talk to other people in the tavern floor, one last guest makes their entrance. An ancient looking gnome, quite portly for her diminutive height and balancing all her weight on a long staff that looks like a branch ripped from a tree just outside, green leaves and all. Much like Doozey, it is clear this gnome gave no second thought whatsoever to the notion of dressing up to dinner. She wears a simple field dress and apron, both ripped at the edges and dirtied with dust and mud. From her belt straps, many-a-small cage hang, each containing some vegetable or strange ingredient. She even brought her wicker backpack, with herbs poking out, as if she had just collected them and was making her way back to her hut somewhere to cook. Her head supports a much-too-large, mushroom-shaped sombrero that looks moist and houses a couple of frogs.

Aleyd waves at the old gnomish woman, inviting her to talk. It is obvious that this is not their first time meeting. Villonah and Doozey never moved too far from Alyed themselves, so they are part of this sort of "circle-of-shyness" forming by one of the edges of the table. Graxx is making his way back to Aleyd as well, after concluding his brief conversation with Chaab. Neya is on the other side of the table, standing and talking to Caah, while Utar is a couple of yards away from her, sitting and talking to the Harper agent.

The nobleman host clears his throat loudly and invites everyone to sit: "All our guests have arrived. Shall we get started?"

(OOC: I'll give you a change to wrap up your ongoing side conversations before the nobleman begins his speech proper.)

Utar rubs a hand over his chin, strangely smooth following the shave that Sister Ahkt advised. 

"Hmmm since I'm seeking information on one of the attendees, maybe some information on one of the others here might suffice? Maybe information on the Zhentarim agent? Like maybe the fact that I last saw him in a cage having been taken captive by some Kuo-Toa on behalf of the Cult of the Dragon. I could point them out of you would like?"